by Marjorie Nunez, Alligator.org

When it comes to e-readers, the consensus on owning a device is that it’s convenient.

But convenience may not be enough to wipe out print books forever.

According to a 2012 report from Bowker, a worldwide
provider of bibliographic information, print books are here to stay
despite the increase in popularity of e-book readers such as the Kindle,
iPad and other tablets.

The Bowker study showed that in America, 4 percent more women use e-readers than men.

A study published from the Pew Research Center in
2012 showed that 72 percent of American adults during the previous year
had read a print book, compared with the 17 percent of adults who read
e-books.

It also reported 81 percent of responders said they prefer to read print books with children.

About 70 percent said they prefer to share physical books with other people.

Although readers can hold their entire book
collections on one device, Jan Fronk, owner of Book Gallery West, a new
and used bookstore located in the Millhopper Shopping Center, said her
customers still enjoy reading physical books.

“What people keep telling us is that they love the feel of having a book in their hands,” Fronk said.

Kristen Zych, a 22-year-old physics senior, said she
bought a Nook Simple Touch so she could read “A Feast for Crows,” the
fourth book in a seven-part series. At 1,104 pages, it weighs a pound.

“I didn’t want to carry around this series of books,” she said.

Celina Rodriguez, a 20-year-old biology junior, said she bought a tablet to use for class.

She uses it as an e-reader on long car rides because she can travel with a lot of books and no bulk.

Though she reads on her tablet often, Rodriguez said
she also enjoys reading print books, especially books by some of her
favorite authors, J.K. Rowling and Chuck Palahniuk.

“You read books to not be on the computer,” she said.
“I think print books will never go out of style. They have been here
forever.”

Casey Robbins, a 24-year-old clerk at Book Gallery West, said she owns two e-readers but does not use them often.

She only uses the devices for periodicals and books she can get for free.

“People that read both are way more prevalent than
people who only read e-books,” Roberts said. “Books will be here well
into the future.”